Match box



Oct. 28. 1924.

A. Y. S. ALBUM MATCH BOX Filed Feb. 20.

1923 2 SheetsShee'. 1

Get. 28 1.924.

A. .Y. S. ALBUM MATCH BOX Zinnia-Shea. 2

Filed Feb. 20. 1923 attouwia Patented Oct. 28, 1924a PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPH Y. S. ALBUIVI, OF MAYWOOD, ILLINOIS.

MATCH BOX.

Application filed February 20, 1923.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, AnoLPH Y. S. ALBUM, a citizen or the United States,residing at Maywood, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Match Box, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention is a match box and relates to that type of matchbox wherein matches are automatically and. singly delivered. from thebox and ignited when the lid of the box is opened the lid beingautomatically swung open when the latch means is released. In thepresent invention a portion of the match stem is retained in the box andits ignited end held behind the lid, which provides a wind-shield. Afterthe match has been consumed or permitted to burn as long as desired itcan be withdrawn from the box and the lid closed, the matches with-- inthe box feeding automatically into position for repeated operation.

The match box of the present invention can be of any shape or design andornamented as desired, and is to be of such size as can be convenientlycarried in a vest pocket or hand-bag.

The object of the present invention is to provide a match box of theabove stated character which is simple in construction, having fewoperating parts which will not readily get out of order thus renderingthe device durable and lasting, and one which can be manufactured at asmall cost.

The invention resides in the sundry details of construction andcombination of parts herein set forth.

Tn this specification. and the annexed drawings the invention isdisclosed. in the form in which it is considered to be the best, but theinvention is not limited to such form because it is capable beingembodied in other forms; and it is to be understood that in and by theclaims following the descrip tion herein it is intended to cover theinvention in whatever form it may embody within the scope thereof. i

In the drawings which form a part of the specification, wherein thepreferred embodiment of the invention, as at present devised, isillustrated- Figure l is a perspective view of the Serial No. 620,302.

match box of the invention, with the lid open and showing the matchignited.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the match box with the lid closed.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the match-box showing thesame closed and in position to be opened.

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of the lid of thematch-box inopen position as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side view showing the lid partially open and thematch-box being in striking engagement with the igniter.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectiona view taken substantially online 6-6 of Fig. 4:, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially online 77 of Fig. at. looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the igniter, and

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the match-holding means.

Like characters of reference refer to similar and like parts throughoutthe specification and drawings.

In the drawings the match-box is shown as comprising arectangular-shaped casin but the casing may be of any shape, style ordesign as may be found desirable.

The upper end of the casing is normally closed by a hinged plate 2, andthe bottom end of the casing is closed by a suitable cover or plate 3,removably connected thereto, or mounted in such a manner as to readilypermit refilling the same with matches. For convenience the wall a istermed the front wall, and the wall 6, the rear or back wall. To theupper edge of the rear wall is hingedly mounted, as at 4, a lid 5, andthe cover plate 2. which is likewise hinged at l. is formed with anopening d therein. at a point adjacent the hinged connection.

The lid 5 is normally held closed by a suitable latch spring 6, in thepresent instance consisting of a leaf spring secured'at 7 to the casingandhaving a detent 8 at its other endto engage in a suitable recess 9 inthe distal end of the lid. This latch'is further provided with aninwardly extending detent 2 which normally lies in path of movement ofthe cover plate 2 and main tains the latter close. By pressing the latch6, however, outwardly at its upper end, the detent 2 will besu'tlicient'ly moved to permit the cover plate 2 to be swung open inorder that the magazine X may be replenished with matches. Of course,the form of latch means may be varied as desired without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

The lid 5 is automatically thrown open to the position indicated inFigures 1 and at, and to this end an arm is pivoted at one end, as at11, to one of the side walls of the casing and within the same. A. link12 has its ends pivotally connected, respectively, to the arm 10, as at13, and to the lid 5, as at 14: the intermediate portion of its lengthslida'bly extending through a suitable slot 15 in the top of the plate2. The arm 10 is acted upon by a coil spring 16 within the casing, whichnormally creates tension upon the arm to throw the lid 5 to the openpositions shown in Figs. 1 and 4-. The arm 10 is limited in its upwardmovement by a suitable stop abutment 17, projecting inwardly from theadjacent wall from the casing The spring 12, preferably consisting of astrand of resilient wire coiled once upon itself, has one end suitablysecured, such as by solder, to one wall of the casing, and the other endbearing upon the under side of the arm 10. The end of the springengaging the arm 10 is held in place against accidental displacement bya guide 18, formed by a strip of metal folded upon itself and. havingits opposite legs embracing and secured to the arm 10, thus providing apocket into which the free end of the spring 16 extends.

From the above, it willbe seen that when the latch 6 is depressed torelease it from the recess 9 in the lid, the spring 16 will exert itspressure to move the lid to the open position, as in'the drawings.

The operating mechanism just described is positioned against one side ofthe wall casing and, on account of its construction and arrangement,occupies little space within the casing, This operating mechanism iscovered by a suitable plate or shield 19 to protect the same frominterference by the matches which are to be contained also within thecasing. Between the plate 19 and the opposite side wall casing 1 isprovided a magazine or containing receptacle of the match-box Thelongitudinal edge of the plate 19 j acent the rear wall Z2 is bent uponitself to form the trough or channel 20, lying within the, magazine, toreceive and position the matches with discharge opening (Z. Thispositioning member 20 is spaced from the rear wall I) to form a passageor slide way for the block 21, carrying the ejector finger 22, and'isalso offset inwardly relative to the plate 19 so as to align the channel20 with the discharge opening (Z in the top plate 2. p p p p The matchesare arranged in the magazine w in substantially parallel relation and toextend longitudinally with the casing, with their ignitible endsadjacent the top vall 2 thereof. They are to drop by gravit -x into thechannel 20 and to be engaged at their bottom ends and ejected throughthe opening (Z when the lid 5 is swung open.

To this end the slide 21 has its face op posing the channel 20 recessedcorrespondingly with the contour of the outer surface of the channel,whereby the latter acts a guide for the slide. The channel member 20 isformed in its bottom with. a longitudinal slot 23 extending a suflicientlength throughout the channel to permit a desired degree of ejection ofthe match, the ejector finger 22 projecting from the slide through theslot into the channel member a distance equal to the diameter of thematch.

The slide 21 is further provided with a pocket or recess 24: into whichthe distal end of the arm 10 extends, this end of the arm being suitablyrounded or formed to have a loose rocking engagement with the block. Itwill thus be seen that when the lid is closed and the arm 10 depressedagainst the tension of the spring 16, the slide 21 and its ejector 22will also be moved to its lowermost position in the casing, and when thelid is moved to open position, the slide and its ejector will be movedupwardly in the casing. In otl er words, the slide block 21 isreciprocated synchronously with the. open ing and closing movement ofthe lid by the spring 16.

The matches within the magazine are fed to the channel or positioningmember 20 singly by gravity; and to provide a proper feeding of thematches, suitable guides are provided to prevent crowding or jamming ofthe matches. To effect this result aguide plate 25 is secured to theplate 19 at a point somewhat remote from the channel 20. This plate ispreferably co-extensive with the plate 19 and extends toward the channel20 at substantially an acute angle relative to the plate19, the otherlongitudinal edge of the plate 25 being bent longitudinally toward theplate 19 and secured'to it at point ad; jacent, but slightly spacedfrom. the channel 20, as shown particularly in 6 and T. To the oppositeside wall the match-box is secured another guide plate 26, preferablyco-eXtensive therewith, curved transversely toward the free edge of thechannel or trough .20. Thus, will be seen that the plates 25 and 26cooperate to form aconverging throat 0, the reduced end of which beingsubstantially the same width as the diameter of an ordinary match,thereby requiring the matches to pass into the positioning member 20successively.

The guide plate 26 has a pair of spaced slits therein at a medialportion of its free edge adjacent the channel 20, these slits providinga resilient tongue 2?, the distal end of which has a lateral projection28 lying in the path of the projection 29 on the slide 21. Therefore, asthe slide isreciprocated, the resilient tongue 27 is caused to moveinand out of the throat, the effect being to move the matches and therebyrelieve any jamming or binding therein as they feed tl'u'ough the throat0. This tongue also acts as a restrictor to prevent the matches frompassing through the throat during the reciprocating movements of theslide 21.

The bottom 3 of the casing may be permanently secured to or madeintegral with the casing, or may be attached thereto so as to be readilyopened in order to recharge the magazine it in case the cover 2 is nothinged or otherwise removable. This bottom is shown in the drawings ashaving inwardly bent lugs 11 on one end which hook in and engage theopenings in the lower edge of the rear wall 6, the opposite edge of thebottom being provided with a resilient detent latch 40 to engage arecess in the front wall. The inner face of the bottom 3 supports afalse bottom 3 which closes the bottom of the magazine as indicated, butwhich is cut away under the positioning member 20 for the purpose ofperi'nitting the slide 21 to carry the ejector finger 22 below the planeof the false bottom, whereby finger 22 will move underneath the end ofthe match next to feed into the positioning channel 20.

To prevent the match from falling below the false bottom through openinga, a spring arm 30 is secured at one end, as at 31, to a fixed portionof the casing, preferably to the outer face of the plate19, and has itsother end extended around the positioning member, with its extremityejecting through the slot 23, into the match positioning channel 20.Normally this extremity 32 lies as indicated in the drawing, above thefalse bottom 1 to keep the lower end of the match out of alignment withthe opening a.

The under face of the lid 5 carries a striker holder 33 adapted toretain an igniter of suitable character, according to types or makes ofmatches the user ma y prefer. This holder 33 is, preferably, curvedslightly and is held in position by a flat leaf spring 35 connected toit, and to the under side 5 of the lid, as at 36, thus maintainingtheholder in yieldably spaced relation to the lid.

The operation of this device is as follows:

Assuming that there are several matches in the magazine m, and thematch-bo xais grasped in the manner illustrated in Figure 3 to depressthe latch 6, oneof ,the matches will feed between the guide plates 25and 26 and rest upon the positioning channel member 20. The lid beingclosed, the slide 21 is in the position shown in Figure 3, and theejecting tongue will lie flush with the false bottom end under the lowerend of the positioned match. As soon as the latch 6 is depressed, thespring 16, acting upon the arm 10 will move the lid to open position andsimultaneously move the slide 21 upwardly, the ignitable end of thematch being projected through the discharge opening D into engagementwith the igniter 34. As the slide block continues its upward or ejectingmovement, the end of the match will. be scraped along the surface of theigniter in a manner which will be readily understood,

since the lid 5 and the slide 21 move in unison. On account of theyieldabilit-y of the igniter holder 33, any undue pressure, is relievedwithout resulting in the breaking of the match stem.

The match thus ignited may be left in. the position shown in Figures 1and 1, and the cigarette or cigar can be lighted therefrom withoutremoving the match while burning. the lid 5, forming a windshield to protest the flame from extinguishing drafts.

If it is desired to light a pipe, or to use the match for otherpurposes, it can be readily moved from the opening (Z. As soon as thematch stem has been moved, the lid 5 may be pressed against the actionof the spring 16 to its closed position. Simultaneous with this movementof the lid, the slide 21 ismoved downwardly to the position, shown inFig. 4, and upon reaching its lowermost position, will engage the springarm 30, depressing the end 32 thereof to a point below the false bottomwith the ejector finger 22 of the slide lying flush with the falsebottom, thus permitting the lower end of the next succeeding match torest thereupon, when the box is positioned. to cause the feeding of thematches onto the, positioning channel 20 by gravity. During thereciprocating movements of the slide 21 the tongue 2.7 will preventcrowding or jamming through the throat c and alsode-finitely restrictfeeding of the match during the operation of the slide.

lihen it is desired to have the match burn its full length; while in thcasing, moved upwardly in the opening (Z and its lower end grip betweenthe arms of the sprin clip 38. which is U-shaped having its oppositearms lying on opposite sides of the opening (Z.

The above fully describes the invention, and it will be manifesttherefrom. that a very simple economic and efiicient automatic matchigniting match safe has been provided.

What is claimed as new and upon which. I desireto obtain Letters Patentis:

1. A match-boxhaving a magazine therein, a lid for said box, means forejecting a match from said magazine when said lid is open, actuatingmeans for operating said ejector, a connection between said actuatingmeans and said lid, whereby the lid maybe opened by the former, andmeans for maintaining said lid in closed position. I

2. 'A match-box having a magazine therein, a lid for said box, means forejecting a match from said magazine when said lid is open, an automaticactuator therefor and operablemembers connected with said ejector andsaid lid and acted upon by said actuator for actuating said ejector, andsaid lid together, and means for releasably maintaining said lid in.closed position.

7 3. A match-box having amagazi'ne therein, a lid for's'aid'boxnneansfor partially ejecting a match from said magazine when said lid. isopen, ineans'for actuating said ejector with movement of said lid,andmeans on the lid with which the head of the match contacts.

4. A match box of the kind set forth in claim 3 furthercharacterized bysaid lid forming a windshield at one side of the ignited match when thelid is opened.

5. A match-box having a magazine therein, a lid for said box, means forejecting a' match from said magazine when said lid is open, a pivotedarm in engagement with said e ector, a spring actuator engaging the armfor moving thesame in one direction,

and a link between said lid and said arm whereby the actuator will movesaid lid to open position and operate said ejector synchronously, saidparts being moved to nor mal position when the lid is closed, andreleasable means for maintaining said lid in closed position.

6. A match box oi": the kind set forth in. claim 1 further characterizedby said lid having thereon a yieldably mounted igniter means over whichthe match moves in frictional contact as it is ejected from the box andthe lid swung open.

.7. A matchbox having a discharge opening therein, match positioningmeans in said box for aligning matches successively with relation tosaid opening, a magazine in said box from which matches feed to saidpositiojning means, guide means in said. magazine forming a restrictedpassage for directing the matches therein to said positioning means, anejector member slidably mounted within the box and extending into thepositioning means, and spring means in the box connected with said slideto cause the latter to successively e ect the matches fed to saidpositioning means, said e ector being adapted to normally lie below thewall of the mag:

azine whereby the lower end'of the matches ted to said positioning meanswill lie in advance oi the ejector.

8. A match-box as set forth in claim I, further characterized by meansfor preventing matches from feeding onto said positioning means whensaid ejector is outrof normal position.

9. A match-box as set forth in claim 7, further characterized by ayieldable guard member positioned below said ejector and adapted to moveinto said positioning means when the ejector is out of normal positionto prevent matches from feeding onto said positioning'means, said guardbeing depressed below the magazine bottom wall when the ejector is movedto normal position.

10. A match box having a discharge opening therein, match positioningmeansin the box for aligning matches successively with relation to saidopening, a magazine in said box'from which matches feed to saidpositioning means, guide means in said magazine forming a restrictedpassage for direct ing the matches therein to the positioning means, anejector member slidably mounted in the box and extending into saidpositioning means, spring means in the box connected with said slide tocause the latter to successively eject the matches fed to saidpositioning means, and a movable member between said guide meansactuated by the movements of said slide, whereby the matches feedingbetween said guide means are agitated to prevent jamming there between.

11. A match-box having a discharge opening therein, match-positioningmeans in the box for aligning the matches successively with respect tosaid opening,a magazine in'the box from which the matches feed 'bygravity onto said positioning means,

guide-plates in said magazine forming a restricted passage for directingthe matches therein to the positioning means, a spring tongue mounted tomove into and out of said passage between the guide plates,--an ejectormember slidably mounted in the box and extending into said positioningmeans, means for actuating said ejector, said spring tongue beingactuated by said ejector.

12. A match-box having a discharge ope-ning in the top wall thereof,magazine in the box to contain matches, a troughrlilie member within thebox and aligned with said opening and positioned to receive matches fromsaid magazine fed therefrom by gravity, a slot in saidtroughelike memberextending from the lower end of the latter for a distance longitudinallyof the same, an ejector member slidably mountedv in the boxlongitudinally oi: said troughlike member, and having a projectionextending into said slot, whereby matches fed to, said trough-likemember are ejected through said opening, means for normally urging saidlid to opening position, and a connection between said means and saidejector, whereby the latter is moved to ejecting position synchronouslyto the opening movement of said lid.

13. A match-box as set forth in claim 12, further characterized byguide-plates between said magazine and said trough-like member providinga restricted passage to the latter, and means in said passage operatedby the movement of said ejector to prevent jamming of the matchestherethrough.

l l, A match-box as set forth in claim 12, further characterized by theejector means movable to normally lie below the bottom wall of themagazine, whereby the lower end of the matches fed toksaid trough-likemember lie in advance of said ejector, and a spring finger arrangedbelow said ejector and adapted to move into said trough-like memberabove the bottom wall of the magazine when the ejector is moved out ofnormal position, whereby said spring finger prevents matches feedingonto said trough- 7 like member when the ejector is out of its normalposition.

15. A match-box having a discharge opening therein, match-positioningmeans in the box alined with said opening and onto which matchessuccessively feed, an ejector slidably mounted in the box and extendinginto said positioning means to successively eject matches therefrom,said ejection being adapted to normally lie at the bottom of saidpositioning means, whereby the lower end of matches fed to thepositioning means will lie in advance of the ejector, and a yieldableguard positioned below the ejector and adapted to move into saidpositioning means when the ejector is out of normal position topreventmatches from feeding onto said positioning means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ADOLPH Y. S. ALBUM,

